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Over the objections of some restaurants and container manufacturers, officials in Somerville have approved a ban on the use of foam containers and cups at takeout food establishments.

The ban, which will go into effect in May 2014, carries up to a $300 penalty for violations. It does not include foam containers in grocery stores, such as meat packaging and egg cartons. It was approved without opposition by the Board of Aldermen on Thursday.

Representatives of Dunkin' Donuts and Dart Container, a manufacturer and distributor of polystyrene containers, voiced opposition to the proposed ban at a public hearing held by the aldermen's Legislative Matters Committee in March, arguing that the containers can be recycled, even though many waste haulers do not recycle them.

Currently, polystyrene cups from Somerville -- along with certain other types of unrecyclable materials -- are burned at an incinerator in North Andover.